besmirch
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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Steele doesn’t besmirch the data that punishes his Redhawks, but he also says “there’s something to winning.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 2, 2026
As it turns out, Murray’s story doesn’t besmirch Candy’s memory at all.
From Salon ● Oct. 12, 2025
"It is an unadulterated lie because it tries to besmirch the very DNA of a new South Africa that was born under the leadership of someone like Nelson Mandela," he told the BBC World Service.
From BBC ● Mar. 28, 2025
“And it would really besmirch the reputation of the Academies, which I felt strongly about defending.”
From New York Times ● Apr. 28, 2023
“How dare you besmirch that magnificent image with your vintner’s hands.”
From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole
"Behaviour like that, whether it's at an Old Firm match or any other football match, besmirches that, and it should absolutely be seen as unacceptable."
From BBC ● Apr. 4, 2022
The prevalence of this ugly fad usage besmirches the language with a jarring oddity, without purpose in clarity or elegance.
From Washington Post ● Aug. 20, 2021
Mud besmirches his van’s tiny, neat living space.
From The Guardian ● Jun. 6, 2018
It is unfortunate that this Times article indirectly besmirches the Yankees.
From New York Times ● Jul. 8, 2017
It may be," he replied, "because I will not encounter the dishonour that besmirches the husband of a faithless woman.
From The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
“New banks didn’t even call themselves banks and instead used the expression caisses, meaning ‘deposits,’ so besmirched was the banking industry’s reputation.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 12, 2025
"What happened thereafter has besmirched the unsuspecting town of Kidwelly," he said.
From BBC ● Mar. 7, 2025
Whitfield, who is biracial, claimed that Hassan’s comments about how she got the job on the show besmirched her merits, something that Black women often have to deal with in the workforce.
From Salon ● Feb. 12, 2025
Securities and Exchange Commission, had wrongly besmirched Hindenburg’s “well-deserved reputation for thoroughness, precision and accuracy.”
From Reuters ● Feb. 2, 2023
Was there any kind of filth with which he had not besmirched himself, any sin and folly which he had not committed, any stain upon his soul for which he alone had not been responsible?
From "Siddhartha" by Hermann Hesse
Yet having that knowledge somehow doesn't assuage the anxiety that strikes the moment I see a ring of oil-slicked curry from the pot lid besmirching my flawless countertop.
From Salon ● Apr. 18, 2023
The businesses declared themselves outraged by the government besmirching their reputation.
From BBC ● Jan. 18, 2023
“They are targeting this officer and besmirching his reputation for following his attorney’s advice,” Tratnik argued.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 7, 2022
“She’s calling everyone I know and besmirching my name,” he added.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 25, 2022
In the entire atmosphere of the place was no besmirching suggestion of toil.
From Stubble by George Looms
Vocabulary lists containing besmirch
The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "B"
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All About That Baseless: Bad-Faith Accusations
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